Children’s Books for African-American History Month

In observance of black history month this February, I compiled a list of books that highlight racial diversity and celebrate African-American history. Here are 10 books that caught my eye; and as an added bonus, each one of these titles is available at the Fort Worth Library.

I Love My Hair is a sweet story of a little girl who hates to sit still and have her thick, curly black hair combed. Her mother uses this time to speak words of truth and encouragement into her daughter’s life, and the little girls grows to love and appreciate her unique beauty and naturally gorgeous hair.

Fifty Cents and a Dream is the true story of Booker T. Washington, a man and a slave who overcame great odds to learn to read and write, and later founded one of the first black colleges in the United States, the Tuskegee Institute. This book is an homage to one man’s unbelievable work ethic, and how hard work and determination can change your life’s story.

Martin’s Big Words is a child’s introduction to the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the incredible impact he had on the Civil Rights Movement, changing American history for the greater good.

Last Stop on Market Street is a narration of a little boy and his grandmother traveling across town to serve at soup kitchen. The grandmother gently teaches her grandson to love and respect everyone who crosses their path regardless of age, gender, race, or class.

Trombone Shorty is about Troy Andrews, a trombone-playing musical prodigy growing up in modern day New Orleans, who goes on to become an international jazz phenomenon.

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is the story of brave Clara and how she used her quilting skills to aid the Underground Railroad. Inspired by true stories, Clara is a 12-year-old girl taken from her mother and forced to work on another plantation. She works in the “Big House” and learns a lot by overhearing the conversations of her owners, and pieces together her surroundings to create a map on a patchwork quilt. Eventually, she is able to use this map to escape, and connects with the Underground Railroad where is is smuggled to freedom.

A Weed Is a Flower tells the life story of George Washington Carver. The book begins with Carver being born into slavery and kidnapped by raiders, then returned to his white owners, the Carvers. The Carvers raised him; and from a young age, George showed an aptitude for gardening and botany. He became known as the “Plant Doctor.” Later his advances in science helped revitalize the struggling economy of the South in the early 1900s.

About Emma

Emma is the wife of Ford and mother to four: Lewis (2010), Teddy (2011), Archibald (2013), and Addie Cate (2013). She is both a biological and adoptive mom and wouldn’t have it any other way. Emma and Ford tied the knot in 2009, and quickly went from a family of two to six. Before Texas was home, she spent her college years in Mississippi; and her childhood in St. Petersburg, Russia where her parents serve as Protestant missionaries. Though she is fluent in Russian, she doesn’t find much use for it on playdates in the metroplex.
When she is not buying diapers in bulk, Emma enjoys re-reading Austen and Bronte novels, napping, and the occasional visit to the Kimbell Art Museum. She dreams of one day sleeping in, but till then she is enjoying the long, lovely days at home with her crew of toddlers and babies.